Method and system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure

ABSTRACT

A method and system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application is disclosed herein. The present invention provides a set of diagnostic steps that are undertaken automatically on a mobile communication device to identify this condition within an application and generate a browser window inside the application so that the condition can be fixed and the application can continue without having to time-out and exit an application.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Present Application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/783,346, filed on Mar. 3, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/671,409, filed on Jul. 13, 2012, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to WiFi connections for mobile communication devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for detection and correction of a WiFI login failure for a mobile application.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile communication device end-users constantly face a particular problem when using a local WiFi connection with a mobile communication device. Many times, whether on an airplane, in a hotel room, or in another facility with a local WiFi connection, a user attempts to run an application on a mobile communication device and the application times-out. Upon inspection, the end-user determines that the signal strength is good and there is a connection to a local WiFi connection. Some end-users will try to start a browser of the mobile communication device to determine if there is something that needs to be agreed to or a login. Other end-users will be bewildered, and frustrated that they cannot access an application on the mobile communication device.

General definitions for terms utilized in the pertinent art are set forth below.

APP is a software application for a mobile phone such as a smart phone.

Application Programming Interface (API) is a collection of computer software code, usually a set of class definitions, that can perform a set of related complex tasks, but has a limited set of controls that may be manipulated by other software-code entities. The set of controls is deliberately limited for the sake of clarity and ease of use, so that programmers do not have to work with the detail contained within the given API itself.

BLUETOOTH technology is a standard short range radio link that operates in the unlicensed 2.4 gigaHertz band.

Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) is a spread spectrum communication system used in second generation and third generation cellular networks, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a widely-implemented strategy for managing a company's interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects. CRM involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize business processes and the like—principally sales activities, but also business processes and the like for marketing, customer service and technical support.

Direct Inward Dialing (“DID”) involves a carrier providing one or more trunk lines to a customer for connection to the customer's private branch exchange (“PBX”) and a range of telephone lines are allocated to this line.

FTP or File Transfer Protocol is a protocol for moving files over the Internet from one computer to another.

GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications is a second generation digital cellular network.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”) is a set of conventions for controlling the transfer of information via the Internet from a web server computer to a client computer, and also from a client computer to a web server.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (“HTTPS”) is a communications protocol for secure communication via a network from a web server computer to a client computer, and also from a client computer to a web server by at a minimum verifying the authenticity of a web site.

Internet is the worldwide, decentralized totality of server computers and data-transmission paths which can supply information to a connected and browser-equipped client computer, and can receive and forward information entered from the client computer.

Interactive voice response (“IVR”) is a telephone technology in which a user uses a phone to interact with a database to acquire information.

Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) is a next generation communication network.

Multimedia messaging service (“MMS”) communication is a communication transmitted to and from a mobile phone that includes a multimedia content such as a digital photograph (JPEG), videos, and the like.

Mobile Originated (“MO”) is a text message that is sent from a mobile phone.

Mobile Terminated (“MT”) is a text message that is sent to a mobile phone.

Public Switch Telephone Network (“PSTN”) is a telecommunication system in which networks are inter-connected to allow telephones to communicate with each other throughout the world.

Short Message Service (“SMS”) is text messaging communication using a mobile phone or other device to send messages up to 160 characters in length.

Short message peer-to-peer (“SMPP”) is a telecommunications protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities.

Simple object access protocol (“SOAP”) is a computer network protocol for exchanging information.

Simple mail transfer protocol (“SMTP”) is a delivery protocol for email.

A SMS aggregator is an entity that provides connectivity with a mobile phone carrier by offering a SMS gateway to send and receive messages and other digital content.

A SMS Gateway is used to send text messages with or without a mobile phone, and is used by aggregators to forward text messages to mobile phones.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) of 1991 restricts the use of SMS text messages received by mobile phones, and SMS messages sent without a consumer's consent can violate the TCPA.

Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) is a protocol for moving files over the Internet.

Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) relates to communications transmitted over the Internet such as SKYPE.

URL or Uniform Resource Locator is an address on the World Wide Web.

User Interface or UI is the junction between a user and a computer program. An interface is a set of commands or menus through which a user communicates with a program. A command driven interface is one in which the user enter commands. A menu-driven interface is one in which the user selects command choices from various menus displayed on the screen.

Web-Browser is a complex software program, resident in a client computer, that is capable of loading and displaying text and images and exhibiting behaviors as encoded in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) from the Internet, and also from the client computer's memory. Major browsers include MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER, NETSCAPE, APPLE SAFARI, MOZILLA FIREFOX, and OPERA.

Web-Server is a computer able to simultaneously manage many Internet information-exchange processes at the same time. Normally, server computers are more powerful than client computers, and are administratively and/or geographically centralized. An interactive-form information-collection process generally is controlled from a server computer, to which the sponsor of the process has access.

Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”) is an open, global specification that empowers users with mobile wireless communication devices (such as mobile phones) to easily access data and to interact with Websites over the Internet through such mobile wireless communication device. WAP works with most wireless communication networks such as CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX, reflex, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC, Mobitex and GRPS. WAP can be built on most operating systems including PalmOS, WINDOWS, CE, FLEXOS, OS/9, JavaOS and others.

WAP Push is defined as an encoded WAP content message delivered (pushed) to a mobile communication device which includes a link to a WAP address.

The prior art has failed to provide a means for automatically determining and correcting a WiFi login failure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is provides a solution to the problem. The present invention provides for automatic detection and correction of a WiFI login failure for a mobile application. The present invention provides a set of diagnostic steps that are undertaken automatically on a mobile communication device to identify this condition within an application and generate a browser window inside the application so that the condition can be fixed and the application can continue without having to time-out and exit.

One aspect of the present invention is a method for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. The method includes launching a mobile application on a mobile communication device. The method also includes accessing a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action on the mobile application. The method also includes determining that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed. The method also includes displaying a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

The mobile communication device is preferably a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

Another aspect of the present invention is a mobile communication device comprising a mobile application resident on the mobile communication device. The mobile application is configured to access a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action, determine that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed, display a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection. The mobile communication device is preferably a mobile phone or tablet computer.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. The system includes a facility having WiFi access to the Internet available through a WiFi connection with a login and at least one mobile communication device. The mobile communication comprises a mobile application configured to access a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action, determine that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed, display a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for detection and automatic correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. The method includes launching a mobile application on a mobile communication device. The method also includes accessing a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action on the mobile application. The method also includes determining that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed. The method also includes automatically transmitting a login for the WiFi connection of the facility for the mobile communication device to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. The method includes launching a mobile application on a mobile communication device. The method also includes accessing a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action on the mobile application. The method also includes determining that a link to a web address over the WiFi connection is inaccessible. The method also includes determining that the mobile communication device is connected to the WiFi connection of the facility. The method also includes determining that a login must be completed. The method also includes displaying a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. The system includes a facility having WiFi access to the Internet available through a WiFi connection with a login and a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device comprises a mobile application configured to access a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action, determine that a link to a web address over the WiFi connection is inaccessible, determine that the mobile communication device is connected to the WiFi connection of the facility, determine that a login must be completed, and display a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for a method for WiFi login correction and detection.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for a method for WiFi login correction and detection.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a facility having a WiFi connection.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a WiFi login for a mobile communication device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a flow chart for WiFi login failure detection and correction.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for WiFi login failure detection and correction.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of components of a mobile communication device.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for WiFi login failure detection and correction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method 1000 for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application is shown in FIG. 1. At block 1001, a mobile application is launched on a mobile communication device. At block 1002, a network is accessed through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action on the mobile application. At block 1003, the mobile application determines that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed. At block 1004, a login for the WiFi connection of the facility is displayed on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

A method 2000 for detection and automatic correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application is shown in FIG. 2. At block 2001, a mobile application is launched on a mobile communication device. At block 2002, a network is accessed through a WiFi connection of a facility for an action on the mobile application. At block 2003, the mobile application determines that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed. At block 2004, the mobile application automatically transmits a login for the WiFi connection of the facility for the mobile communication device to login to gain access to the WiFi connection.

A flow chart of the logic of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The logic process 4000 begins with a mobile application launch on a mobile communication device at block 4010. At block 4020, the mobile application attempts to access a website, joingo.com, over a network through a WiFi connection at a facility. If accessing the website fails, at block 4030, an inquiry is made if a cache is available. If the cache is available, then at block 4040, the mobile application operates in an offline mode. If the cache is not available, then at block 6050 there is not Internet connectivity. However, if at block 4020 the access to joingo.com is successful, then at block 4060 a GET request is sent for joingo.com/ping. If the GET request is successful, then at 4070 the operation is done. However, if the GET request is redirected, then at block 4080 a login error is generated for the mobile application to have the end-user of the mobile communication device try to LOGIN. At block 4090, a browser of the mobile communication device is launched and the connection to the link is made over the network through the WiFi connection of the facility.

A system 5000 for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application is shown in FIG. 5. The system 5000 includes a network 5005 such as the Internet, a third party server 5010, a mobile communication service provider 5015, a mobile communication device 5020, wireless access points 5025 and 5025 a, a facility server 5030 and a firewall 5035 of a facility network. A mobile application is launched on the mobile communication device 5020. The mobile communication device 5020 accesses the facility network through a WAP 5025 for a WiFi connection of the facility network for an action on the mobile application. The mobile application determines that a link to a web address over the WiFi connection is inaccessible. The mobile application determines that the mobile communication device 020 is connected to the WiFi connection of the facility network. The mobile application also determines that a login must be completed. The mobile application displays a login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the WiFi connection of the facility network.

As shown in FIG. 6, a typical mobile communication device 6000 includes an accelerometer 6001, a head phone 6002, a microphone 6003, a speak 6004, a GPS chipset 6005, a Bluetooth component 6006, a WiFi component 6007, a 3G/4G component 6008, a BaseBand Processor (for radio control) 6009, an applications processor 6010, a JTAG (debugger) 6011, a SDRAM memory 6012, a Flash memory 6013, SIM card 6014, LCD display 6015, a camera 6016, a power management circuit 6017 and a battery or power source 6018

The mobile communication devices utilized with the present invention preferably include mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, PDAs and the like. Examples of smartphones include the IPHONE® smartphone from Apple, Inc., BLACKBERRY® smartphones from Research In Motion, the DROID® smartphone from Motorola Mobility Inc., and many more. Examples of tablet computing devices include the IPAD® tablet from Apple Inc., and the XOOM™ tablet from Motorola Mobility Inc.

Most of the interface descriptions preferably disclose use of at least one communication protocol to establish handshaking or bi-directional communications. These protocols preferably include but are not limited to XML, HTTP, TCP/IP, Serial, UDP, FTP, Web Services, WAP, SMTP, SMPP, DTS, Stored Procedures, Import/Export, Global Positioning Triangulation, IM, SMS, MMS, GPRS and Flash. The databases used with the system preferably include but are not limited to MSSQL, Access, MySQL, Progress, Oracle, DB2, Open Source DBs and others. Operating system used with the system preferably include Microsoft 2010, XP, Vista, 200o Server, 2003 Server, 2008 Server, Windows Mobile, Linux, Android, Unix, I series, AS 400 and Apple OS.

The underlying protocol at a server, is preferably Internet Protocol Suite (Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”)), and the transmission protocol to receive a file is preferably a file transfer protocol (“FTP”), Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (“HTTPS”), or other similar protocols. The transmission protocol ranges from SIP to MGCP to FTP and beyond. The protocol at the game server 40 is preferably HTTPS.

A mobile communication service provider (aka phone carrier) of the customer such as VERIZON, AT&T, SPRINT, T-MOBILE, and the like mobile communication service providers, provide the communication network for communication to the mobile communication device of the end user.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sequence diagram 7000 for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application. A mobile application 5072 is launched on a mobile communication device 5020. An HTTP request is sent to a wireless network 5026 of a facility. A wireless connection fails, and a bad request message is sent from the wireless network 5026 to the mobile communication device 5020. The app display a login page, to authenticate a username and password, and again a wireless connection fails, and a bad request message is sent from the wireless network 5026 to the mobile communication device 5020. The login is successful and the HTTP request is forward to a gateway (firewall or router) 5036. A wireless connection fails, and a bad request message is sent from the gateway 5036 to the mobile communication device 5020. An authentication message is sent to the device 5020, and the login is again attempted. HTTP error is sent to the mobile device 5020 from the wireless network 5026, and the WiFI connection is authenticated. A login page is displayed and the user enters his username and password. The login is authenticated and the HTTP request is forward to the Internet 5005.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes modification and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims. 

We claim as our invention:
 1. A system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for a mobile application, the system comprising: a facility having WiFi access to the Internet available through a WiFi connection with a login; and a mobile communication device comprising a resident mobile application, the mobile application configured to access a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an HTTP request, wherein the mobile communication device previously had accessed the network through a WiFi connection of the facility and a WiFi login procedure had been completed by an end user, the mobile application configured to determine that a link to a web address over the WiFi connection is inaccessible, the mobile application configured to determine that the mobile communication device is connected to the WiFi connection of the facility, the mobile application configured to determine that a subsequent WiFi login must be completed by the end user to access the network, and the mobile application configured to generate a browser window within the mobile application to display a WiFi login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the network through the WiFi connection.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein access to a network through the WiFi connection comprises requesting a link to a website.
 3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the facility further comprises a facility server and a plurality of wireless access points.
 4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone or tablet computer.
 5. A mobile communication device comprising: a mobile application resident on the mobile communication device, the mobile application configured to access a network through a WiFi connection of a facility for an HTTP request, wherein the mobile communication device previously had accessed the network through a WiFi connection of the facility and a WiFi login procedure had been completed by an end user, the mobile application configured to determine that access to the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application has failed, the mobile application configured to determine that the mobile communication device is connected to the WiFi connection of the facility, the mobile application configured to determine that a subsequent WiFi login must be completed by the end user to access the network, and the mobile application configured to generate a browser window within the mobile application to display a WiFi login for the WiFi connection of the facility on the mobile application to login to gain access to the network through the WiFi connection.
 6. The mobile communication according to claim 5 wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone or tablet computer.
 7. The mobile communication device according to claim 5 used with a system for detection and correction of a WiFi login failure for the mobile application used on the mobile communication device, the system comprising a facility server and a plurality of wireless access points, and having WiFi access to the Internet available through a WiFi connection with a login.
 8. The mobile communication device according to claim 7 wherein the system further comprises a third party server. 